Disclaimer: I do not own Trollhunters or any of its characters.
Chapter 1
Introductions Pt. 1
"Gathered trollkind!"
What is it now?
"To celebrate the safe return of the new Heartstone, Master Tobias has proposed a competitive endeavor for your entertainment." Blinky continued.
It takes a full year of my time and magic to rebuild Trollmarket, and his first message is about spectator sports. Doesn't anyone have priorities these days? Thanks should be in order, at the very least.
Blinky looked exceedingly proud of himself. "A tournament of single combat. . . comprised of the Trollhunters!"
I'm not helping.
"Merlin will assist. . ."
No.
". . . in gathering and preparing the contestants!"
Fine, but I'm not helping the changelings.
"For their contributions to the Trollhunters' most recent quest, Zelda Nomura, Walter Strickler, and Enrique Nuñez may participate if they are so inclined!"
Merlin snorted. That would receive some criticism from the more ethnocentric trolls. Though if the changelings participated in this "tournament" doohickey, said trolls might warm to the idea of having changelings around in Trollmarket.
It might be good for morale, Merlin mused. And it would get Aja and Krel Tarron out of my way.
Maybe this "tournament" wasn't such a horrible idea after all.
"Tell me again why this is necessary." Jim's initial reaction was not positive.
Merlin sighed. "It's good for morale."
"Of the trolls? Morale is fine."
"Precisely. 'Fine' is not good enough."
"Aw, Merlin's defending Blinky!" Tobias interjected.
I didn't expect that either. We don't agree on much.
Jim crossed his arms. "You just want an excuse to get the Tarrons out of your hair."
"That is one motive, yes," Merlin admitted. Tobias barked with laughter.
"But if all the Trollhunters are in Trollmarket, Arcadia will be left defenseless," Jim countered.
Young Tobias, bless him, won the argument. "Lighten up, Jimbo! We haven't seen a rogue goblin or gruesome in months. Have some fun for once.
"Alright." Jim answered. "Who else is in?"
Claire nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great! But I don't have my Shadowstaff. I will need a weapon."
Merlin scoffed. "The Skäthe-Hrün is a relic of Morgana. It cannot be destroyed by conventional means."
"Really? Because Toby crushed it with a flaming warhammer."
"Tobias broke the physical manifestation of an item of powerful magic. He did not destroy the source of the power of the Skäthe-Hrün, and it can therefore be reformed by its creator."
"In case you didn't notice, Morgana's out of commission right now." Claire retorted.
"What does that have to do with this conversation?"
"The creator of the Shadowstaff is stuck in the Shadow Realm," Claire said dryly.
What kind of history do they teach kids these days?
"Morgana received the Skäthe-Hrün as a gift upon the completion of her apprenticeship to its creator, me."
As Claire stepped back in shock, Merlin drew from the reserves of magic regained after Morgana's banishment. Much like the materialization of Jim's Eclipse blade after the Battle of Arcadia, Claire's Shadowstaff—such an inelegant name for an object imbued with magic—reformed in mid-air as Merlin spread his hands wide.
"How about that for an old, cantankerous wizard?" Merlin quipped.
Claire's face radiated anger as she took her Shadowstaff from Merlin. "Why didn't you fix this a year ago?" She demanded.
"You never asked," Merlin replied.
Bickering changelings were the worst. Merlin decided to come back later.
Note: Skip to chapter 3 if you're just here for the fights.